Apple on Tuesday unveiled a number of new products that show how the marketing pitch continues to focus on consumer privacy at other companies’ potential costs, while also entering new markets developed by much smaller competitors.
Apple showed off a new high-end iPad and iMac desktop computer based on new computer processors that Apple is now making itself. Apple announced it was redesigning its podcast app to allow podcast creators to bill for their shows. It also released a new device called AirTags, a $ 29 disc that attaches to a key ring or wallet to make it easier to find.
Apple also released some other news on Tuesday that wasn’t mentioned in its dazzling, hour-long advertisement. The company announced in a subsequent press release that it plans to release its much-anticipated iPhone software next week, which will come with a privacy feature that worries many digital advertising companies, especially Facebook.
This functionality requires apps to be given explicit permissions from users before they can be tracked across other apps. When you open a lot of apps next week, iPhone owners will be greeted with pop-up windows asking if the app can track them. Organizations are expected to collect less data on users as users decline this tracking.
Apple and Facebook were embroiled in a war of words over the change. Facebook argued that doing so would hurt the digital advertising industry, which helps fund free internet services. Apple has stated that it only gives consumers the right to choose whether to be tracked.
Separately on Tuesday, Apple’s AirTags were immediately criticized by Tile, a company that has been making similar lost item finding devices for years. “We welcome competition as long as it is fair competition. Unfortunately, given Apple’s well-documented history of using its platform advantage to unfairly restrict competition for its products, we are skeptical, “said CJ Prober, CEO of Tile.
Tile’s General Counsel, along with executives from Apple, Google, Spotify and Match Group, will testify before Congress Wednesday at a hearing on Apple and Google’s market power and control over mobile apps. “We think it is entirely appropriate that Congress takes a closer look at Apple’s business practices,” said Prober.
